Tower on small boats

[packets]

I am contemplating putting a tower on my Carribean Cobra, it is 4.75 metres and roughly 1.5 wide. Our main reason for purchase and installation of a tower is to wakeskate.

Now would cutting hard cause the boat to tilt/tip wif we have a tower on the boat, seeing as the boat is relatively small compared to your standard wakeboat. I just have a feeling that being out wide of the boat with tension on the rope could cause the boat to tip as the tower causes such a big lever? I could be totally wrong, just wondering before i start planning and buying stuff.

I can provide more information if needed. Sorry my first post about boating.

 

[solar7647]

Re: Tower on small boats

No there won't be any issue like that. You would really have to have a tall tower to be able to do that, you will feel the rider a bit. As they edge out and put a lot of latteral force on the boat the driver will need to pay attention because it can cause it to change corse, but that happens on bigger boats as well. Mine is 22ft and about 3100lb and a rider edging hard can cause the boat to turn.

 

[packets]

Re: Tower on small boats

Hi Solar,

Thanks for the solid reply. I've heard of it happening to big boats (course changing that is) and just needed some reassurance that all would be well. Since posting I stumbled upon a website that actually makes towers for fishing boats, specifically small boats.

THanks again.

 

[hameltime]

Re: Tower on small boats

Hi packets,
I am looking for some sort of tower or other towing attachment for a small boat. Would you mind sharing where you found those?
Thanks

 

[solar7647]

Re: Tower on small boats

I would look at monster towers, they make a model for small boats

 

[skibrain]

Re: Tower on small boats

I think you'll need to be pretty careful with it.

You're talking about a 15 1/2' boat that probably weighs 1500# with the motor. Much different than a 22' footer that weighs 3100. The taller attachment point will obviously create a more upward pull for getting riders out of the water. It also creates a lever that will give you more bow rise at start and longer to get your boat up on plane.

 

[AviatorJim]

Re: Tower on small boats

I put an Avenger wakeboard tower on mt Glastream 172 (16' 7" fiberglass open bow w/ Mercruiser 3.0) 2 years ago. I haven't had any problems with the boat being pulled over or getting on plane. There may be a little more down trim for my hole shot, but nothing I noticed. I did have to trim the tower to fit the narrow beam of my boat (about 4" per side on the piece with the hitch knob). Took most of a Saturday to get it installed. It is worth a trip to the store to get all locking hardware to replace what came in the kit. And Locktite for the setscrews. The tower has worked flawlessly even when I use it to pull tubes (not recommended, but it keeps the rope where I can see it and keep out of the drive).

I'm even thinking about a tower for my Bertram 25 Express.
--Jim